Many people seem to think that growing organic vegetables and fruit is time consuming and costly. Whilst developing such a garden can take a little while, that investment in time is far outweighed by the fulfillment that comes from eating fresh healthy produce at very low cost.
Here are some tips to assist you in your development of a low cost garden.
Low cost garden tip 1: You can make a compost pile for next to nothing - use recycled materials like timber, chicken wire, old hay bales, etc. Look around at what's free. You can put almost anything into your compost pile - leaves, grass, wood clippings from your local area, coffee grounds from local cafes, shredded paper - anything biodegradable except animal by-products.
Low cost garden tip 2: For your hard landscaping (paths, steps and borders) use recycled materials and be surprised by how much money you can save. Check with your neighbors or local construction sites for old bricks, stones or timber that you can use.
Low cost garden tip 3: Use what you have (or scrounge) and you will be surprised at what is possible! Plant seedlings right in egg shells (those not headed for the compost pile), or use any small containers or egg cartons.
Low cost garden tip 4: If you having trouble with weeds in your garden beds, use old newspapers, cardboard or carpet under mulch to smother them. They will eventually break down and provide organic matter in the garden. This is much better than spending money on commercial weed mats.
Low cost garden tip 5: Are you having problems with pests on your fruit and vegetables? Don't use commercially produced insecticides and poisons (no-one wants to eat produce that has been treated with chemicals), make your own!. Coffee grounds will deter snails and slugs, and your own white oil (soap, vegetable oil and water) will work on scale. Mix an emulsion with chili and water, or use molasses with water as another spray for caterpillars. You will save money and also preserve your health.
Low cost garden tip 6: Hook up with a Gardening Buddy and you can share seeds, tools, buy cheap bulk products that you can split (such as potting mix) and share machinery rental fees. Join a local garden club or check with your local council to see what programs are available in your area.
Low cost garden tip 7: Expand your plant horizons by finding alternative ways to get new plants - look for plant swaps, garden club plant sales, exchange plants with a friend or arrange a neighborhood plant exchange. Always be on the lookout for seasonal bargains and check for end of line clearances - you can find your plants in some unusual places.
Remember that growing your own food is part of a return to times when we were all a lot healthier and spent less money on junk food. Do something important for yourself, your family and the environment at very low cost - get growing organic vegetables and fruit!